Chuka Umunna MP

Many older people and younger people with disabilities want to maintain their ability to live at home as long as possible, so Labour is proposing to extend free personal care at home to 280,000 people with the highest needs.

The Personal Care at Home Bill will invest £670 million to enable them to stay in their homes, adjusting living conditions with new technology and adaptations whilst also protecting the free care already provided.

Under the proposals 130,000 people will be able to gain new skills that help them to maintain their independence. Additionally, 111,000 people who in the past have had to fund their own home care will receive it for free.

In the long run this will save both social care services and the NHS money, and will form the first step towards a new National Care Service.

Chuka Umunna said : “Labour’s Personal Care at Home Bill will make personal care simple, fair and accessible, giving hundreds of thousands of people new dignity and independence.”

“Many elderly people and younger disabled people need help with everyday tasks such as getting in and out of bed, washing and dressing. Too many still have to fund the support they need out of
their own pocket – or do without.”

“And what’s more, many have to give up living at home in order to receive that support. This bill will help put an end to this.”

The Conservatives, who oppose a National Care Service, instead want a private insurance scheme which will require people to pay £8,000 for residential care, without support to stay in their own home. Not only does this underestimate the cost of such care, but it would also exclude those unable to pay and create a perverse incentive for people to leave their homes even where this is unnecessary or inappropriate.

The Conservative policy, which also does nothing for younger disabled people, has been criticised by social care experts.

Chuka continued: “In 1945 it was Labour that created a National Health Service, free at the point of use, improving life in the UK beyond measure. And now we are setting out to create a new National Care Service in the same spirit of dignity and wellbeing for all.”

David Miliband MP, the Foreign Secretary, introduces this video celebrating the Nigerian community’s contribution to British life.  The video was produced for a joint event between the Foreign Office and the Nigerian High Commission in London today.  The event is designed to celebrate the contribution to UK society of the significant Nigerian diaspora community in the UK, many of whom live in the Lambeth area.  If Chuka is elected at the General Election he would become the first male politican of Nigerian descent to sit in the House of Commons.

Chuka Umunna, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Streatham, spoke at an Operation Black Vote (OBV) event this week, encouraging young people to use their democratic rights and make their voices heard.

The ‘Express Yourself’ event promoted young people becoming active members of society and their communities, and also featured performances from young musicians and comedians.

Mr Umunna talked of the positive impact which voting and involvement in the political system can make, calling on young people, in the words of Mahatma Gandhi, to “be the change that you want to see”.

He also spoke of the importance of issues such as climate change to the young generation of voters, which will have a disproportionate affect on many countries in Africa which have strong links with minority communities in the UK.

Recently, Chuka Umunna recruited Lionel Owusu-Afriyie to work as an Intern on his campaign.
Mr Owusu-Afriyie, a graduate of the University of York, joins having worked for the Windsor Fellowship which helps young people from ethnic minority backgrounds find career and educational pathways and become the leaders of tomorrow.

Simon Woolley, Founder and National Co-Ordinator of OBV, sits alongside Lionel on the ministerial board for the REACH National Role-Modelling programme, managed by the Windsor Fellowship.

Lionel Owusu-Afriyie was named as one of “Britain’s most outstanding black students” as part of the Future Leaders 2010 list, a companion to the Powerlist.

David Lammy, MP for Tottenham, was a member of the list’s judging panel. While Lionel hopes to gain valuable experience by becoming involved in Chuka’s campaign, Mr Umunna was himself an Intern for David Lammy in the past.

Chuka Umunna said: “I don’t accept the idea that young people are apathetic, but participation in the democratic process is the key to positive change. If we want to make a difference, we must make sure that our voices are heard.”

Mr Owusu-Afriyie said: “It is important that we as young people realise the immense power we hold and this should be constantly encouraged with events like ‘Express Yourself’.

“Many of us want to be heard and we deserve an influential platform because we are the future. The principles guiding Chuka’s campaign encapsulate this and I want to be part of it.”

For months Thameslink passengers have been let down by cancellations and delays. The government has now stepped in to warn train operator First Capital Connect (FCC) that it could lose its franchise if the service does not improve.

Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has told the operator that the current problems experienced by Thameslink passengers are unacceptable and that improvements are expected if FCC wants to continue running the franchise.

Chuka and Tessa Jowell, MP for the neighbouring constituency of Dulwich and West Norwood, which has also been affected by the Thameslink problems, are now seeking to meet FCC bosses to make clear that a full timetable must be restored.

Chuka said today:

“The delays and cancellations which Thameslink passengers are currently experiencing are frankly unacceptable – the government is leaving FCC in no doubt of this.

“Having relayed residents concerns about the service to ministers, myself and neighbouring MP Tessa Jowell are now seeking a meeting with FCC bosses immediately to demand answers.”

Chuka has continually fought to defend Streatham’s transport links, campaigning against proposals by Network Rail to terminate all northbound trains from Streatham at Blackfriars and will continue to spearhead the effort to bring the Tube to Streatham.

Secretary of State for Transport Lord Adonis has made it clear that the current service disruption is unacceptable.

He said: “I am only too well aware of the substandard service that has been offered by First Capital Connect in recent months.

“This is a matter of acute concern to me and my department.”

Previously, the government has intervened to withdraw the franchise of failing train operators – in 2003 Connex South Eastern’s contract was terminated early.

The Labour government has announced over £1.7 billion of investment for manufacturing research and new industries such as the digital sector and biotechnologies.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated: “Growth is not only the key to prosperity and jobs, but also rebuilding the revenues for safeguarding the public services on which we rely.

“The growth strategy shows how we will support and unleash the entrepreneurial, innovative and dynamic talents we know we have in Britain.”

The focus is on long-term sustainable growth strategies in the UK. The Business Secretary, Peter Mandelson noted that much could be learnt from public companies such as John Lewis. According to evidence the company, which shares its rewards with employees, is successful in pursuing long term growth.

The government’s new strategy features £1 billion of investment in the upgrading of the country’s digital infrastructure, £70 million of new funding for manufacturing research projects and the creation of 35,000 advanced technical apprenticeships over the next two years. £38.5 million has also been assigned to 260 new research low carbon technologies projects.

Commenting on the announced investment Chuka said: “This funding, particularly for research into low-carbon technologies, clearly demonstrates Labour’s commitment to fighting climate change, alongside investment in new jobs and in a strategic long-term restructuring of the economy.”

With the recent cold snap, many Streatham families felt that they faced a bitter choice: pay expensive heating bills or stay in the cold.

But today Chuka urged vulnerable local families not to worry about keeping warm as the government pays out millions in Cold Weather Payments.

Chuka said: “As the cold weather continues, I don’t want vulnerable people in Streatham left in the cold. I especially want the elderly to know that extra help is on the way.

“There are two ways we are helping this winter – with Winter Fuel payments of £250 or £400 for the over 80s, and thousands of people in our area getting the increased Cold Weather Payments of £25.

“The payments are automatic so everyone entitled will get them and should not have to worry about being able to keep warm.”

Around £200 million has been paid out so far this winter, with just over £70 million over the cold New Year weekend. The government spends around £2.7bn a year helping pensioners meet their fuel bills – compared to the £60m a year spent by the Tories in 1997.

Cold Weather Payments are paid out automatically to help people pay for heating during cold snaps. You may be eligible for the Cold Weather Payments if you are a pensioner or are receiving Income
Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance.

The Labour Government has launched the new Boiler Scrappage Scheme – a national initiative to help families save money on fuel bills and cut their carbon emissions.

Around 125,000 households in England will be entitled to £400 towards the price of a new A-rated boiler or renewable heating system to replace their older, less environmentally-friendly boilers.

Hundreds of Streatham families with outdated boiler systems are expected to be eligible for the welcome boost, especially in the freezing weather.

The move is also designed to help sustain work in the heating industry, a major British employer.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the Scheme “will slash household energy bills and carbon emissions while providing an important boost for the British heating industry.

“The government’s new scrappage scheme will help to secure 250,000 jobs across the tens of thousands of small and medium businesses involved in boiler manufacture, sales and installation that form a vital component of Britain’s low carbon economy.”

Labour’s Climate Change Secretary, Ed Miliband, said: “The Boiler Scrappage Scheme will save around £200 off heating bills per year for families that are replacing their old boilers, and in total will save the same amount of carbon equivalent to taking around 45,000 cars off the road.

“The scheme will add to the existing package of government measures to help householders be smarter about the energy they use, leading to permanently reduced fuel bills and cutting emissions.”

The Boiler Scrappage Scheme is based on the same principles as the hugely successful Car Scrappage Scheme – a burst of decisive government investment designed to help both people and businesses while reducing the UK’s carbon footprint.

The Car Scrappage Scheme, introduced in May last year and extended in September, gives drivers £2,000 towards a new car if they trade in an old one.

As of December 2009, 282,898 new cars had been ordered under the Scheme, 19,150 of which were in London.

Housing Minister John Healey MP pays a visit to the Clapham Park Estate at the invitation of Chuka Umunna, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for the area, to meet with local residents.

Following the election of the Labour Government in 1997, Clapham Park Estate was selected as a pilot site for the New Deal for Communities initiative. Consequently since 2001 the Labour government has invested £70million into the area through the Clapham Park Project, which has run various schemes and initiatives, and Clapham Park Homes (CPH).

CPH is the community led housing association set up to provide Estate residents with good quality, well managed and maintained homes at affordable rents, in an area revitalised with a network of new parks and open spaces, cleaner and safer streets, better transport, good schools, a wide range of community facilities, decent services and more local jobs.

The government has just announced that CPH has been shortlisted to receive a further £9.5million to help develop the Estate given the difficulties faced by CPH in securing financing during the Credit Crunch.

John Healey MP, the Minister for Housing and Planning, was invited to visit the Clapham Park Estate to see the government investment to date and meet with local residents and staff from Clapham Park Homes, at the invitation of Chuka Umunna, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for the area.

Commenting on his visit on 14 January 2010, Mr Healey said:

“I am delighted Chuka asked me to come and visit Clapham Park so I could see how the money we have ploughed into the area is being spent and so I could talk to local residents about what more we can do.

“The residents Chuka and I spoke to told us that they were pleased to see the government investing in the area, building homes and supporting jobs – that is what we have been doing since 1997 on the Clapham Park Estate and we will continue to do so.”

Mr Umunna said:

“Ensuring that residents get to speak to government ministers, tell decision makers of their experiences and what more they would like to see is an absolute priority for me.

“The Clapham Park Estate has improved massively from when I was growing up in the constituency and I will work tirelessly to ensure the investment and improvements continue.”

During his visit Mr Healey went on a walk about on the Estate with Mr Umunna, Keith Hill MP, local ward councillors, the Chair and Chief Executive of Clapham Park Homes and local residents.

Congratulations to our local residents whose contributions on a local and national level were recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.

To find out more about their fantastic achievements, follow this link.

The contribution of four local residents has been recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honors List: Lesley Morrison CBE, Gloria Bailey MBE, Ilene Ming-Deans MBE and Jean Roberts MBE. They are truly inspiring people who have made a real positive impact both locally and nationally.

Ilene Daisy Ming-Deans has been made an MBE for her services to Clapham Youth Centre. The centre is part of the Knight’s Association of Youth Clubs, which have been pioneers of youth work in South London.

Aiming to inspire and help develop young people in constructive and innovative ways, the centre works on projects such as the ‘Summer Uni’, which raises young people’s aspirations.

Lesley Morrison, Headteacher of St. Martin-in-the-Fields High School for Girls in Tulse Hill has been made a CBE for her contribution to education.

Mrs Morrison, who has been head of the school for seventeen years, has overseen the launch of a new and successful sixth form and excellent exam results across the board.

Interviewed in the Streatham Guardian she said: “It is a real honour, but it feels bizarre getting something for just doing your job.” She added “no man was an island” and that her success was because she had a “great team of staff helping her”.

Mrs Morrison’s positive ethos “values all our individuals. It places emphasis on high expectation and the fact that if our pupils believe they can do it, they can. We want our pupils to fly and they do fly,” she told BBC News.

Gloria Bailey is well known for her work with the Streatham Darby and Joan club where her Make a Difference Group is based – she has been made an MBE for her services to the community in Lambeth.

As well as fostering more than 100 children, she has run recruiting drives for foster carers in Brixton and also launched the Godparents initiative to provide opportunities for local youngsters.

Jean Roberts, a ministerial messenger for the Department for Transport, also becomes an MBE.

Congratulations to all those who received honours – we are truly proud to have such inspiring local citizens.